New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-24

The needs of the 9th Regiment should not DO
ignored by the Annoy Board. 1t is made up
of a gallant lot of men, and they deserve good
armory. If the membership is not so large as
that Of the 7th Regiment for instance, it is
probably due in part to the fact that in the
present quarters Of the 9th, in Twenty-sixth-
st., near Seventh-aw., only a small squad OF
men can drill at one time lest the building
should tumble down. The fact is, all the city's
militia regiments should no properly housed.
Now that the Senatorship contest is happily
ended, there is no reason why the legislators
at Albany should not give prompt attention
TO their regular work. One of the first things
to do is to pass bill settling all points in re-
gard TO the Constitutional Convention. That
gathering should be held as carly as possible
this summer, so that its work may be ready for
the people to pass upon this fall. In Pres
idential election year the amendments proposed
would receive too little serious attention from
voters.
The chances are that the coal strike will
further weaken to-day 1t certainly will do so
il the police are able to protect the men hand
ling the coal brought within city limits.
continuance of pleasant weather will also help
the situation. The strikers and their beneti-
Charles, the retail coal-dealers uptown, will dis
like it, Of course but to the poor moderate
temperature is now q great boon. 1t lessons
The horrors of an empty coal-bin. Even among
TIE ardent supporters of the strike there appears
to be an increasing appreciation of the fact that
their poor neighbors arc likely 10 DO the great
ct sufferers as long rs the scarcity of coal con-
tinues But the request of the Central Labor
Onion. that retail dealers only sell TO families,
Sill hardly be needed.
The Health Department has chance now to
show what it is good for. Half dozen nests
OF smallpox contagion have just been discovered
In the city, and the danger Of an epidemic in
certain districts is serious. Owing to bad man
ascmeut on the part of some Of the inspectors
several patients suffering with the disease have
managed TO conceal themselves, and instead Of
being in hospital where they would be well
attended, are probably spreading the contagion
in some crowded tencment-hOuse. Now that
the Department realizes the danger, and also
tho fact that the public has not much confidence
In lis administration, perhaps its officers will be
abb to Prove that they aie more efficient than
thcy are supposed TO be.
The facts In another column as to the dete-
riuation of the Indian school force.are stated by
q trustworthy Observer after a personal exami-
nation of many agencies during the last summer
and autumn. This is only one more instance
of the demon azation of the public service con-
Vductcd with tho central purpose of satiating
the appcttes of hungry camp followers by an
Administration which advertiscs itself as sin
guiariy unselfish and eager for reform. AS
usual, the department declares that no changes
must bo made on political grounds" and one
would bc slow to suspect that any official, even
Il 10 pledge like this had been given, would
turn out these teachers in the wilderness But
tia places were spoils for Dir. Lamar's friends,
en1 spoils they can scent long way of.
WAu should not Mr.. Dawes or some other
0ustor or member of tho House who
AHhu serious and intelligent in.